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A steep climb...

Date: 03/01/2012
Views: 91
Owner: Nick Collins

L/Sgt. Bill Wraith MM

Lance Sergeant William 'Bill' Wraith MM. The photo and these details of his service are courtesy of his son Brian Wraith-Mottier. In addition to being awarded the Military Medal, he also received a Mentioned in Dispatches during another action on February 26th 1943 [See the entry for James Allender being awarded a bar to his MM. Bill was the Commando with James.] Bill was temporarily blinded during a raid from Le Plein.

This NCO has served with No.6 Commando throughout the North African and North West European campaigns and has at all times shown the highest standard of devotion to duty and exemplary courage. During the recent advance toward the River Elbe, Sgt Wraith was in charge of a patrol sent forward to gain information about the enemy. On his return a mortar bomb fell close to his patrol seriously wounding one man and inflicting blast injuries upon himself which affected his sight. With his sight failing he nevertheless returned and carried back the wounded man to our own lines under mortar fire. He then reported to the Intelligence Officer, and in spite of his grave condition, insisted on giving detailed reports of his patrol before being evacuated. During the period 12th January to 15th April Sgt Wraith has been on 23 patrols many of which he commanded, and on all of them he has shown the greatest example and devotion to duty. On three separate occasions he has been wounded but in spite of this he has always continued to show complete fearlessness and a splendid example to his men in action (L.G.11.10.45)

(The above details from George Brown's book Commando Gallantry Awards of WW2)